02 1500, HAD the dreaded starting problem.. wasnt what I thought it would be!? look..

[tim shady]

Hello.
I just purchased an 02 1500 a month ago. 4.3. 5spd.
2 weeks later I get in and turn the key... and it doesnt start!?!?
It cranked and cranked but would just not turn over. Checked the battery/voltage, it was fine. Plenty of gas in the tank and I took off the gas cap and replaced it just in case. Tried again and got the same results. Opened the hood and just checked to make sure everything was tight and no sensors/wires/ductwork/hoses/etc were missing or broken; everything looked fine. Tried to start it again and it wouldnt, but then I immediately hit it again and it fired right up.
I hoped it was just a fluke of sorts. Maybe the truck at been sitting at the dealership for awhile? Bad gas? Dirty filters? Maybe I did tighten up something when I checked under the hood?
The truck was running smooth as could be, never acted funny whatsoevr other than not turning right over that morning. I had almost forgotten about the incident until 6 days later when I got in and tried to go to work. Same thing as before but this time It took about 15 tries spread out over 4hours til it started. Over those 4hrs I found this site (*waves*) and was trying to rule out all that I could. With limited tools and no way to get anywhere, I didnt get far, and after it started I was more worried about getting to work than figuring it out.
The next morning it was the same deal and I said how I felt to myself, and then I called the dealership. While they were on the way I kept trying it of course and of course it started as they pulled up to it

I called the dealership a couple times a day, missing my truck and thinking it would be a quick fix. The only problem they had was that there was no problem It started everytime, so they couldnt diagnose a no starting problem.. Over a week had went by and they had checked the MAF and all the air intake equipment. They checked the fuel pump and pressure regulator. They said it had plenty of spark, the battery was fine, it was getting plenty of gas, and all the sensors/wiring/etc. checked out. I had read on here about some things intermittently going out, so I asked them if they would check it the rest of the week and Id get it Friday. I also told them that it had rained a bit 2 of the 3 the days before it wouldnt start, just incase.

It rained just a little that night. The next morning I got a phone call with 'good news and bad news'. The bad news, my passenger window and my cd player were both gone. The good news, my truck wouldnt start.. .. They could finally diagnose it.

They cranked it and cranked it and it wouldnt turn over. Went through their list of possibilities and everything was checking out. Plenty of gas, pressure, no sensor/maf problems, plenty of juice from the battery... to the distributor.. but not past there (but those times it wouldnt start of course). They told me it was the distributor cap (also rotor or disty cap). I had looked through hundreds of searches on here, searching for everything I had found it could be, and of course I came up with lots to read. And I read it, literally 100's of threads, and not once did I see the disty cap mentioned. Just one of those things its usually not, so its rarely mentioned in the 'cold start' type of threads, so therefore not found a lot when searching for why your truck wont start. The damn thing looked absolutely fine to me too(maybe even new?). No cracks, splits, stripped screws.. and it seemed to fit tight. But there was indeed the slightest tiny bit of moisture in there... Replaced it and havent had a problem since. And I got a new window and cd player for my troubles

moral of the story, if everything else checks out.. or while ruling out why your truck wont start.. check the cap (even under the cap)

[Yellow Snow]

I actually just fixed my starting problem today.

My fuel pressure regulator was bad. Luckily I found the info here to figure the problem out. I only had problems when the engine was already warm. Would start, just crank alot before it'd fire. If I pushed the gas it would fire up. Someone here recommended a pressure check, but I don't have the tools. So asked a mechanic friend of mine if there was another way to check. He said to pull the vac. line off after the engine was warm, if gas came out replace the FPR. Well gas came out, so I got a new FPR and put it in today.

Has been working perfectly, but have only had three chances where it would have cranked alot before. But I did pull the vac line off the FPR and no gas came out, so I'm fairly positive I fixed the problem.

The only thing I haven't figured out is if this would cause the Service light to come on. I suppose it could possibly set it off for the fuel system losing pressure, but I'm no auto mechanic so that's basically a guess from what I've read in this forum. I suppose it should shut off fairly soon if that is what was causing it.

[tim shady]

Thats what it ended up being on most the 'starting problem' threads on here, from what Ive read. Also didnt see any mention of a code for it too... which would explain why theres so many posts concerning it.
glad you got yours running again too
opcorn:

[n2vdubs]

Tim
I think I fixed my problem. I tried to start it this afternoon and it just turned over, then I installed a new cap and rotor and it started with the first turn of the key. Their was a small amout of moisture in the cap, guess it does not take much. Thanks again. John

[muff34]

ya I had to do my cap and rotor recently on my 2000. 4.3 Tech told me it was a common problem with the 4.3

[silverado122775]

I was not aware the after 99 nbs they used Cap and rotor.. I know my truck does not have cap and rotor. 5.3L

[muff34]

Originally Posted by silverado122775

I was not aware the after 99 nbs they used Cap and rotor.. I know my truck does not have cap and rotor. 5.3L

I was surprised when I found that out also. Stood right there and watch tech change it .he told me that they had done about three of them on a local utilities truck that only had maybe 50,000 Km on it . lots of engine hours I guess . only 4.3 have or had cap and rotor still